Viola - Prince John
The Viola Prince John, Viola cornuta', is an easy to grow Viola. The bright, cheery blossoms of the Prince John create dramatic combos with Lobelia or Alyssum. In cold climates, fall planting produces fall, early winter, and spring color. Viola Prince Johns bloom fall through spring in warm climates. The Prince John will overwinter in climates as cold as zone 4. Summer Viola plants tend to get ragged and stretched out and become slow blooming. Plant new King Henry Violas then and replace the old ones. Plant the Prince John Viola in normal garden soil and keep them well watered but not soggy. Place them in full sun or very light shade, because too much shade will cause the Violas to get leggy. Plant the Prince John Viola in early spring about 2 weeks before last average frost date. In warm climates plant in late summer for fall and winter blooms. They look great planted in mass as a ground cover and with bulbs. Plant in locations where late fall and very early spring color would be appropriate and the plants readily reseed. ... more information
Mina Lobata - Spanish Flag The Mina Lobata Spanish Flag, 'Tpomoea lobata', has sprays of crimson flowers that change to orange and yellow, then white, and are suitable of cuttings. The Spanish Flag is related to the morning glory and is sometimes called the Firecracker Vine or Exotic Love plant. This plant has 1 to 2 inch tubular flowers that occur in spikes of up to 12 flowers. They are crimson upon opening and then they change to orange/yellow and to white. Mina lobata bloom from summer until the first fall frost. Spanish Flags prefer full sun and sandy well drained soil. Plant in the spring, after the last average frost date or until early summer. The Spanish Flag is used for pots, baskets, climbing up fences, trellises, and ground cover.
